LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) announced its first student to die of COVID-19 Thursday. Christopher "CJ" Gordon Jr., a 15-year-old sophomore at The Learning Center, died Thursday morning.

“We were heartbroken to learn that [CJ] died this morning,” FCPS superintendent Demetrus Liggins said. “He was a kind, thoughtful young man with a bright future ahead of him, and we join his family in mourning his tragic death.”

FCPS said a team of grief counselors from across the district were available at The Learning Center on Thursday to support students and staff. Additional counselors will continue to be available "for as long as our students need the extra support," the district said.

“I cannot say enough good things about how our staff stepped up today to wrap our students in love and care,” Liggins said. “CJ was a beloved member of the TLC family and our FCPS community, and he will be missed.”

In a release, FCPS said classmates and teachers remembered CJ as "a sweetheart who was a friend to everyone and went out of his way to bring joy to others. He cared about school and worked hard in class – always putting forth his best effort and making the most of every opportunity to learn."

“CJ brought kindness, compassion, and laughter into our lives, lifting up those around him with a supportive word or a playful gesture,” said Learning Center principal Chris Salyers. “Here at The Learning Center, our promise to one another is to ‘do right by people.’ CJ embodied this core commitment every day and shone as an example for our community, state, and nation to live up to.”

CJ enjoyed gaming, anime and photography, according to FCPS.

English teacher Eric Little said CJ was “a smart, sweet kid who made my classroom a better place,” and Spanish teacher Walter Leszczynski fondly recalled CJ’s smile.

“The last time I saw him he was laughing,” Leszczynski said. “I’ll always remember that laugh.”